Meter connecting device



G. W. MCKEE March 23, 1937.

METER CONNECTING DEVICE Qrigial Filed March 51, 19:50

l :ncKEEcoNNEamN a l! l patented Mar. 23,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METER CONNECTING DEVICE Original No. 1,838,778, dated December 29, 1931, Serial No. 440,180, March 31, 1930. Application for reissue November 5, 1932, Serial N o. 641,449

6 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to devices for use in connecting meters to gas supply and service pipes. More particularly the invention relates to that type of meter connecting device which consists of a rigid or non-adjustable crossbar, an offset nipple which depends from one end of the bar, receives gas from the supply pipe at the upper end thereof and embodies a coupling ring at its lower end whereby it may be attached to the inlet tube of the gas meter, and a second depending offset nipple which embodies at its lower end a, coupling ring whereby it may be attached to the outlet tube of the meter and has its upper end connected to the other end of the crossbar and adapted for association with the service or gas delivery pipe,

In some constructions of meter connecting devices of this type the upper ends of the oiset nipples are connected to the crossbar by vertically extending sleeves or hollow members which have the upper ends thereof tapped for connection to the gas supply and service pipes and are rotatably mounted in circular sockets at the ends of the crossbar so that the fitter or operator, during installation, may swing the lower ends of the nipples towards or away from each other and eect the proper position of the coupling rings relatively to the tubes of the meter. Heretofore the crossbar has been provided with means for locking the sleeves against axial displacement and the construction and arrangement of the sleeves has been such that during installation it isnecessary to effect connection of the tapped ends of the sleeves and gas supply and service pipes by turning or rotating the sleeves while they are in place in the sockets at the ends of the crossbar. In practice difficulty is experienced in making the installation by virtue of the fact that the gas supply and service pipes are sometimes disposed too far apart or too close together and it is necessary to hold them in the proper position during turning of the sleeves for connec tion purposes.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a meter connecting device of the type that embodies sleeves for supporting rotatably the nipples for the inlet and outlet tubes of the meter, in which installation thereof is facilitated by virtue of the fact that the sleeves are removable from the crossbar and are so formed and arranged that in connection with the installation of the device they may be applied or connected separately to the gas supply and service pipes and then inserted into the sockets at the ends of the 55 crossbar. In general the construction of the sleeves comprehends polygonal shoulders at the upper ends of the sleeves for engagement by a wrench or similar turning tool and external screw threads at the lower ends whereby nuts may be applied to hold the sleeves against displacement in the sockets and relatively to the crossbar.

Another object of the invention is to provide a meter connecting device which is an improvement upon that disclosed by me in an application for Letters Patent of the United States filed July 5, 1928, and serially numbered 290,376, now Patent No. 1,851,860 of March 29, 1932.

In addition it is contemplated as one of the objects of the invention providing a meter connecting device of the type under consideration which is generally of new and improved construction and in which facility of adjustment of the various parts is combined with durability and compactness of construction.

Other objects and the various advantages of the present construction will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by the claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a vertical lo-ngitudinal sectional view of a meter connecting device embodying the invention, illustrating in detail the construction and arrangement whereby the sleeves are connected removably to the crossbar and may be first connected to the gas pipes and then inserted into the sockets in the ends of the crossbar during installation of the device;

Figure 2 is a plan View;

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1 and showing in detail the I-beam construction of the crossbar;

Figure 4 is a perspective of a tool which is shiftable intointerlocking relation with the crossbar and is adapted primarily for use in holding the sleeves in the sockets in the ends of the crossbar during installation of the device; and

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the crossbar, disclosing the manner in which the tool is shiftable into engagement with the polygonal shoulder on one of the sleeves during connection of such sleeve to the crossbar.

The invention is exemplified in connection with a gas meter A of the type that is now in general use and embodies a vertical inlet tube a at one side thereof and a vertical outlet tube a2 at the other side. The tubes al and a2 are formed integrally with the meter casing and are provided at their upper or distal ends with external screw threads a3 and a4 respectively.

The connecting device which forms the subject matter of the present invention comprises a rigid or non-adjustable crossbar I0. This bar is formed of a one-piece casting and is preferably made of iron. The central portion of the crossbar corresponds in cross section to an I-beam or similar structural element and comprises a vertical web II, a top flange I2 and a bottom flange I3. 'I'he anges project laterally from both sides of the web and operate to reinforce the crossbar horizontally. The central portion of the vertical web II is offset relatively to the end portions as indicated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, in order to form a flat part I4 which is ush with the front edges of the flanges I2 and I3 and is adapted for the reception of a name plate I5. By forming the crossbar in the manner set forth only a minimum amount of metal need be used. Furthermore it is practically impossible due to the comparatively small width of the web and the use of the offset part I4 to steal gas by drilling a longitudinal port through the bar.

One end of the crossbar III is shaped to form a vertically extending cylindrical member I6. 'Ihe top and bottom faces of this member are substantially flush with the top surface of the ange I2 and the bottom surface of the flange I3 respectively. 'I'he central portion of the member I6 is drilled to form a bore I1. This bore has a vertical axis, extends from the top face of the member I6 to the bottom face and forms a bearing for a vertically extending sleeve I3. The latter is preferably formed of cast metal and has the central or intermediate outer peripheral part thereof ground so that it fits accurately and rotates readily in the bore I1. The upper end of the sleeve IB is provided with a polygonal shoulder I9 which projects outwardly from the sleeve and is adapted to rest upon the top face of the cylindrical member I6. In addition to the shoulder I9 the upper end of the sleeve I6 is provided with an internal screw thread 2li whereby the sleeve is connectible to a gas supply pipe 2|. 'Ihe latter is provided with a cock 22 which is operative to control the supply of gas to the meter A through the sleeve I9 and the inlet tube a'. 'I'he lower end of the sleeve I3 ls extended so that it projects downwardly a short distance beneath the bottom face of the member I 6. The extended portion of the sleeve is provided with an external screw thread 23 for a nut 24. 'Ihe latter is adapted to engage the bottom face of the member I6 and operates in conjunction with the shoulder I9 to hold the sleeve against rotati'on and axial displacement. A characteristic and an advantage of having the nut at the lower end of the sleeve and the shoulder I9 at the upper end is that installation or assembly of the device is facilitated by reason of the fact that it is possible to connect the sleeve to the gas supply pipe 2l and then shift the crossbar upwardly so that the sleeve is inserted within the bore I1. In addition to the external screw thread 23 the lower end of the sleeve I8 is provided with an internal screw thread 25. The sleeve is connected to the inlet tube a' of the meter by a depending offset nipple 26. 'I'his nipple is provided at its upper end with an external screw thread 21 which coacts with the internal screw thread 25 to hold the sleeve and the nipple in connected relation. A coupling ring 28 engags a flange 29 on the lower end of the nipple 26 and is internally threaded to engage the screw thread a3 on the inlet tube a' for the purpose of connecting the nipple and the tube and forming a gas tight connection therebetween. By employing a sleeve of the character set forth as the connecting medium between the gas supply pipe 2| and the nipple 26 the work' of installing or applying the device is greatly facilitated for the reason that when the nut 24 is loosened it is possible to swing the nipple into proper registration with the inlet tube a' simply by rotating the sleeve. The polygonal shoulder I9 at the upper end of the sleeve permits a wrench or similar turning tool to be applied for use in effecting rotation of the sleeve.

The crossbar I0 is provided at the end thereof that is opposite to the sleeve I8 with a cylindrical member 3l). This member is similar in shape and arrangement to the member I6 and is provided with a central bore 3|. The latter extends fromy the upper end of the member 30 to the lower end and forms a bearing for a vertically extending sleeve 32. The latter, like the sleeve I8, is preferably formed of cast metal and has the central or intermediate outer peripheral portion thereof ground so that it ts accurately and rotatably in the bore 3|. 'I'he upper end of the sleeve 32 is provided with an internal screw thread 33 and a polygonal shoulder 34. The latter projects outwardly and is adapted to rest upon the top face of the cylindrical member 30. The internal screw thread 33 permits the sleeve 32 to be connected to a service pipe 35 which is connected to deliver gas from the meter A to the various points of consumption. The lower end of the sleeve 32 is extended so that it projects below the member 30 and embodies an external screw thread 36 for a nut 31. The latter is adapted when tightened to clamp the shoulder 34 against the top face of the member 30 so as to hold the sleeve against longitudinal and rotative displacement relatively to the bore 3I. In addition to the external screw thread 36 the lower end of the sleeve 32 embodies an internal screw thread 38 which is adapted to be connected to an external screw thread 39 on the upper end of a depending offset nipple 40. The latter is similar in size and construction to the nipple 26 and operates to conduct the gas from the outlet tube a2 to the service pipe 35 via the sleeve 32. A coupling ring 4I engages a flange 42 on the lower end of the nipple 49 and is internally threaded so as to` receive the screw thread a4 on the tube a2. By virtue of the fact that the nipple 40 is of the oi'set or swivel variety, the spacing between the rings 28 and 4I may be varied in order to bring the rings into registration with the tubes a and a2. Swinging of the nipple 40 is effected by loosening the nut 31 and then rotating the sleeve 32 with a wrench applied to the shoulder 34.

In practice the various parts of the meter connecting device, including the crossbar I6, the sleeves I3 and 32 and the nipples 26 and 40, are assembled at the factory and shipped to the user as a unitary device. In installing the device the nipples and the clamp-nuts 24 and 31 are first disconnected from the sleeves. Thereafter the sleeves are removed from the bores I1 and 3i and applied separately to the supply and service pipes. Upon applying the sleeves to the gas pipes the crossbar I0 is shifted upwardly so as to cause the sleeves to be inserted into the bores I1 and 3l. Connection of the crossbar and sleeves is then eiected by rotating the nuts 24 and 31 into engagement with the externally threaded portions of the sleeves.` By tightening the nuts the sleeves are locked in the bores against both axial and rotative displacement. Upon connection of the crossbar to the sleeves the nipples 28 and 48 are rotated so as to effect engagement of the coacting screw threads. Adjustment of the coupling rings 28 and 4I relatively to the tubes a and a,2 of the meter is effected by rotating the nipples. This, as previously described, is accomplished by loosening the nuts 24 and 31 and rotating the sleeves so as to swing the coupling rings towards or away from each other. After adjustment of the nipples into the proper position the meter A is raised and connected in place by rotating the coupling rings 28 and 4I into engagement with the screw threads a3 and a4 on the tubes.

In connecting the crossbar Ill to the sleeves I8 and 32, after the latter have been attached to the gas supply and service pipes the sleeve I8 is usually clamped in place by the nut 24 before the nut 31 is connected to the sleeve 32. In connecting the nut 31 to the sleeve 32 it is necessary whenever the service pipe 35 is not properly positioned with respect to the supply pipe 2| to hold the sleeve in the bore 3| so as to permit the nut to be rotated into engagement with the external screw thread 36 for the purpose of locking the sleeve 32 to the crossbar. In order to permit of the ready application of the nut 31 a tool 43 is provided. This tool comprises a body-part 44 which is adapted to t between the flanges I2 and I3 of the crossbar as indicated in Figure 5. In addition to the body-part 44 the tool comprises an arm 45 which extends upwardly and is provided with a linger 46 for engaging the top face of the polygonal shoulder 34. When the bodypart 44 is interlocked with the flanges I2 and I3 the tool may be shifted outwardly so as to bring the finger 48 over the shoulder 34. In this position of the finger the sleeve 32 is locked in place against axial movement in the bore 3| of the crossbar and. the nut 31 may be readily applied. To hold the tool 45 in place but one hand need be used. This makes it possible to use the other hand in connection with the application of the nut 31. By virtue of the fact that the flanges I2 and I3 of the crossbar project from both sides of the web Il, the tool may be interlocked with either end of the bar and used in connection with either of the sleeves.

In some instances it is desirable to support the meter A from the crossbar I0 by a hanger 41 which is adapted to extend under the meter and then upwardly along the sides thereof. To provide for the attachment of the upper ends of the hanger an apertured lug 48 is formed integrally with the outer portion of each of the cylindrical members at the ends of the crossbar'.

The meter connecting device herein disclosed may be manufactured at a comparatively low cost by virtue of the fact that it embodies but a small number of parts. In view of the fact that the sleeves at the ends of the crossbar are constructed and arranged so that the polygonal shoulders are at the upper ends and the clampnuts at the lower ends, installation of the device is facilitated. The I-beam construction of the crossbar, as herelnbefore described, tends toward rigidity and compactness of construction. By providing a tool which is adapted to interlock with either end of the crossbar and operates when in interlocked relation to lock the sleeve with which it is associated in place, connection of such sleeve to the crossbar may be readily accomplished.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described thevinvention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A connection for holding in spaced relation the tubes of a gas meter, comprising in combination a rigid bar adapted to extend substantially horizontally and provided at the ends thereof with vertical Vsockets extending therethrough, a pair of vertical sleeve-members embodying at the upper ends thereof polygonal shoulders for turning purposes and internal screw threads whereby they may be connected to the lower ends of a pair of vertical gas pipes, said members being insertable into the sockets while in connected relation with the pipes by shifting the bar upwardly towards the said pipes, and shaped to fit accurately and rotatably in the sockets, nuts mounted on the lower ends of the members for holding said members against vertical and rotative displacement with respect to the bar after insertion into the sockets, and coupling nipples connected to and depending from the said lower ends of the sleeve-members and provided with means at the lower ends thereof for connection to the tubes of the meter.

2. In a meter connection, the combination of a rigid bar adapted to extend substantially horizontally and provided at the ends thereof with substantially cylindrical sockets extending transversely therethrough, a pair of substantially cylindrical sleeve members provided with screw threads whereby they may be connected to the ends of a pair of gas pipes, said sleeve members being so constructed and arranged as to be insertable axially into said sockets by shifting the bar towards the gas pipes, and shaped to fit in said sockets, means for holding said members against axial displacement with respect to the bar after insertion into the sockets, and coupling nipples connected to and depending from the sleeve members and provided with means at the lower ends thereof for connection to the tubes of the meter.

3. In a meter connection, the combination ofA a rigid bar adapted to extend substantially horizontally and provided at the ends thereof with sockets each forming a one piece bearing extending transversely therethrough, a pair of sleeve members shaped to fit in said sockets and provided with means for limiting the upward movement of said bar onto said sleeve members and with screw threads whereby they may be connected to the ends of a pair of gas pipes and the bar connected therewith by shifting the bar towards the gas pipes, means for holding said members against axial displacement with respect to the bar after insertion into the sockets, and coupling nipples connected to and depending from the sleeve members and provided with means at the lower ends thereof for connection to the tubes of the meter.

4. A connection for holding in spaced relation the two service pipes of a gas meter provided with two tubes, said connection comprising in combination a rigid bar adapted to extend substantially horizontally and provided at the ends thereof with vertical sockets extending therethrough, a pair of vertical sleeve members provided at their upper ends with screw threads whereby they may be connected to the lower ends of said service pipes, said sleeve members shaped to t in a xed substantially vertical position only in said sockets and being insertable into the sockets while in connected relation with the service pipes by shifting the bar upwardly toward said service pipes and sleeve members, means `for holding said sleeve members against vertical displacement with respect to the bar after insertion into the sockets, and coupling nipples connected to and depending from the sleeve members and pro-vided with means for connection with the tubes of the meter.

5. Means for spacing the service pipes of a meter and communicatingly connecting the service pipes with the pipes of the meter comprising a rigid one-piece bar having at one end thereof means for engaging one of the servicel pipes and having at the other end a. transverse opening forming a bearing extending therethrough, a sleeve to flt in said bearing, a screw thread in said sleeve for connection with the other service pipe whereby. the sleeve may be first connected with said service pipe and the lbearing of the bar subsequentlyapplied thereto by upward movement thereon, means for limiting the movement of the bar onto said sleeve,- and means for preventing axial movement of said sleevein said bearing. v v 6. Ina meter connection, the combination of a rigid one-piece service pipe spacing baradapted to extend substantially horizontally, said "bar carrying at one end means-for communicatingly connecting oneof the service pipes with one of the meter pipes and said bar having in its other end an integral socket bearing extending transversely therethrough, a sleeve member to tuin said bearing and provided at its upper `end with means whereby it may. be connected independently of the bar to the end of the other service pipe, said sleeve constructed at its lowerv end to directly receive and engage said socket bearing by shifting the bar upward towards the service pipe and onto the.- sleeve thereon, and means i'or holding said bar connected with said sleeve.

GARNET W. MCKEE. 

